Feeding Goldilocks diets, which are carefully balanced to avoid excessive energy intake, is widely regarded as beneficial for the health of transition cows. These diets help control fat mobilization, reducing the risk of issues such as elevated blood levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA), and they also minimize fat accumulation in the liver. However, despite their advantages, some nutritionists hesitate to recommend the inclusion of rumen-protected choline (RPC) alongside Goldilocks diets. This hesitation arises because these diets already aim to lower liver fat and enhance overall animal health.
In a recent study conducted at the University of Florida, researchers sought to investigate whether the benefits of RPC extend beyond cows that are overfed during the dry period. Traditionally, RPC has been recommended for cows that consume excess energy, helping them manage the influx of NEFA and reducing liver fat accumulation while improving lactation performance. The study aimed to explore whether RPC could still provide significant benefits when used in conjunction with Goldilocks diets.
The experiment involved four dietary treatments arranged in a 2×2 factorial design. Half of the cows were fed a controlled energy diet that met their energy needs throughout the dry period, averaging about 48 days. The other half received a diet providing approximately 140% of their energy requirements. After calving, all cows were transitioned to a diet with the same energy density. Within each energy group, half of the cows were supplemented with RPC (15 grams/day of choline chloride in a rumen-protected form) starting three weeks before calving and continuing for three weeks post-calving, while the remaining cows received no RPC supplementation.
Surprisingly, the results showed that the response to RPC supplementation was consistent across both dietary groups. Regardless of whether the cows were fed a controlled energy diet or an energy-dense diet, the milk yield increase was approximately 4.8 pounds per day over the 15-week trial period. Even after the formal trial ended, the milk yield advantage persisted through 40 weeks postpartum. This response was nearly identical to the average milk yield increase observed in a previous meta-analysis of 13 trials, which also highlighted the benefits of RPC supplementation (Grummer, 2012).
These findings suggest that the positive effects of RPC are not dependent on the specific dietary strategy employed during the dry period. This means that nutritionists can confidently recommend RPC supplementation for transition cows, even when those cows are on a Goldilocks diet. The study underscores the importance of addressing choline deficiency during the critical transition period, regardless of dietary energy levels. Calving and the onset of lactation trigger physiological changes that leave cows vulnerable to choline deficiency, making supplementation essential for optimal health and productivity.
While the study focused on multiparous cows, it is reasonable to extrapolate these findings to primiparous cows as well. The biological mechanisms driving the benefits of RPC are likely similar across different cow types, reinforcing the idea that all cows stand to gain from this supplementation.
In summary, the research indicates that RPC provides consistent benefits irrespective of the dietary approach taken during the dry period. This aligns with earlier conclusions suggesting that all cows can benefit from RPC supplementation due to the universal challenges posed by calving and the onset of lactation. Whether cows are on a Goldilocks diet or a higher-energy regimen, RPC remains a valuable tool for supporting liver health, enhancing milk production, and promoting overall animal welfare.
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**Takeaway:** Nutritionists can feel confident recommending RPC supplementation for transition cows, even when Goldilocks diets are in use. The study's findings confirm that the benefits of RPC are not limited to cows on high-energy diets, making it a versatile and essential supplement for all transitioning cows.
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**References:**
- Grummer, R.R. 2012. Choline: A limiting nutrient for transition dairy cows. Proc. Cornell Nutr. Conf.
- Janovick, N.A., Y.R. Bolsclair, and J.K. Drackley. 2011. Prepartum dietary energy intake affects metabolism and health during the periparturient period in primiparous and multiparous Holstein cows. J. Dairy Sci. 94:1385-1400.
- Richards, B.F. 2011. Strategies to Decrease Fatty Liver in Dairy Cows. PhD Thesis. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
- Zenobi, M.G., R. Gardinal, J.E. Zuniga, A.L. G. Dias, C.D. Nelson, J.P. Driver, B.A. Barton, J.E.P. Santos, and C.R. Staples. 2018. Effects of supplementation with ruminally protected choline on performance of multiparous Holstein cows did not depend upon prepartum caloric intake. J. Dairy Sci. 101:1088-1327.
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